Friday, July 27, 2007

Grand Old Police Blotter: Bad Day At Black Rock Edition

CHICAGO -- A Chicago medical-van driver accused of funneling money to Mideast terrorists was sentenced Wednesday to 21 months in federal prison for lying in a civil lawsuit.

Muhammad Salah, 54, also was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine and do 100 hours of community service.

"Telling the truth is the bedrock of our judicial system, and a slap on the wrist will not provide a deterrent," U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve said in sentencing Salah. He has until Oct. 11 to begin his sentence.

Salah was convicted in February of lying under oath in a civil lawsuit concerning the murder in Israel of a teenager by Hamas terrorists.

Judge St. Eve also presided over Lord Black's trial, in which the disgraced supplier of wingnut welfare was, like Mr. Salah, convicted of one count of Scooter Libbying in addition to three counts of fraud. Perhaps Mr. Salah and Lord Black will end up as cellmates, where they can engage in spirited but civil debates concerning Middle East policy.

Fans of Scooter Libby will also note that Mr. Salah was acquitted of the charges of racketeering. I eagerly await their impassioned calls for commutation of Mr. Salah's sentence on the ground --- altogether now -- that THERE WAS NO UNDERLYING CRIME.